I don’t know about you, but I’m a snacker. By late afternoon/early evening I’m ready for an actual meal. However, morning to early afternoon I’m constantly on the prowl for healthy snacks to fuel my activities. In that mindset I created this toast, which I think is just perfect for a quick boost. Plus it's a really tasty treat!

I start with Food for Life’s Brown Rice Bread because it’s hearty and gives some structure to the otherwise soft and creamy textures on the plate. It’s also whole grain and gluten free, which I love! I then chose tahini for all of its nutrients and decadence. Plus, sesame seeds are great for aiding in digestion, which can often be a problem for those of us with dysautonomia (I even have bouts of gastroparesis). So, I welcome any natural, food-based digestive help I can get. Besides that tahini is high in iron, magnesium, healthy fats, anti-inflammatory benefits, and may even lower the risk of certain cancers. The fact that the sesame seeds are hulled and ground makes them easier to digest, meaning our bodies can soak in all those health benefits while exerting minimal digestive fire. Burning less energy digesting tahini means more energy to burn on things we want.

Next I pump the tahini up with a smidge of agave nectar. This natural sweetener really brings out the smokiness achieved in the broiling process and there is no need to use a lot since the bananas will offer sugars as well. The cardamom and cinnamon have known health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and digestive advantages, and the pure almond extract just tastes great!

Softening the banana under the broiler almost has a caramelizing effect and gives the toast a swirl of creamy, sweet goodness. For me, it’s reminiscent of a roasted marshmallow with added fiber and nutrients (like potassium) and without all the bad stuff. Bonus, bananas also contain tryptophan and Vitamin B which raise levels of serotonin and help us feel happier. Who doesn’t want that?!

Finally, I top with chia seeds and cacao nibs. Boom! Instant hydration and crunch. Besides that, did you know that chia seeds contain trace minerals that aid our bodies in pretty much every necessary bodily function? They also help us hold water in the bowel, which aids in digestion and helps those of us with dysautonomia stay hydrated for longer periods of time. I chose to add cacao nibs because they taste a bit like chocolate and add some bitterness to the otherwise sweet toppings. However, cacao nibs aren’t only delicious, they offer health benefits too. They deliver bodacious antioxidants, flavonoids, magnesium, potassium, fiber, and more. This means they help our bodies fight free radicals, ward off inflammation, sustain healthy bones, digest foods more easily, and maintain healthy heart function. So, this snack has great taste and super powers to get you through your day!

Recipe

Tahini Toast with Banana and Chia Seeds

1 Serving

Ingredients

1 Slice Food for Life GF Brown Rice Bread

2 Tbsp Organic Tahini

¼ tsp Organic Cardamom

¼ tsp Organic Cinnamon

¼ - ½ tsp Pure Almond Extract

¼ Small Organic Banana, sliced

Organic Agave Nectar

Organic Chia Seeds

Organic Cacao Nibs

Method

Place oven on Hi Broil.

Place bread in oven set to broil approximately 2-3 minutes per side (time may vary depending on rack position and whether or not bread is frozen) to get slightly firm and crisp, not quite as brown as toast.

In a small bowl mix tahini, cardamom, cinnamon, almond extract, and a drizzle of agave to slightly sweeten (honey or maple syrup are delicious as well). Set aside.

Once bread is very lightly toasted, remove from oven. Spread tahini mixture over slice of toast, top with sliced banana, and return to oven. Allow to broil until tahini is browned and bananas are softened, approximately 3-5 minutes. Remove from oven. Top with a sprinkle of chia seeds and cacao nibs.